Bike Choice - What Exactly to Look For

The preferred mode of transport has taken an unlikely turn in recent years. More and more people are leaving the car behind in favor of the bicycle, in the west the car reigned supreme but we are now seeing a growth in popularity of the bike. This could be because down to the prices of gas and running a car, or perhaps people are deciding to care more for the planet. The fact is there are plenty more cyclists on the road now than there were just a few years ago. Have you been thinking about getting a bicycle? Here are some hints to help you choose the cycling bicycle that is right for you.

The basic key to choosing a bicycle is to buy a bicycle that you can sit on and rest your feet flat on the floor so that you can stop yourself. There are experts who state that this isn't a good way to choose a bike, however. It is their belief, that your time on your bicycle will be much more comfortable, if you allow your feet to remain several inches off the ground. If your feet are sitting flat on the ground while your butt is on the seat, this usually means that the seat is too close to the crossbar and will need to be adjusted for comfort. Your knees will cause interference as you are pedaling, because they will come up higher than they should, which is a result of your knees being bent when you are at rest with your feet down.

If you intend to get a road bike then take 9" away from your total inseam. This is due to the type of tires you will be using for a road bike. Road bikes are meant for city cycling—the tires are thinner and work best on concrete paving. For a mountain bike take away 12 inches from your inseam. This is because the tires of a mountain bike are different than those on a road bike. You will find them to be much bigger and designed to handle rocky terrain. You can of course use a mountain bike for road cycling but this isn't supposed to be their primary use.

You should already have your safety gear bought and ready to go. There have been many advancements on bicycle helmets since they first were introduced. Not only do they look a lot better than they used to, they are also built better to provide greater protection. It is important that you never ride your bicycle without also wearing your helmet. You never know when that little detail is going to save you from an early grave.

You might also consider investing in elbow, knee, wrist and ankle guards—especially if you are going to be going “off road” on your bicycle. Another piece of safety equipment that you should think about getting are pants clips, especially if you are going to be using your bike as a primary mode of transportation. They work by clipping your pants out of the way so they can't get tangled in the chain or gears. As you can see, there are many things to take into consideration when deciding on the perfect bicycle for you. There are people my company who view the durability of a bike to be most important, this is especially true if you plan to use your bike a lot over rough terrain. These folks are looking to find a bike that allows them to get where they are going without having to worry about a breakdown. For others, price is a major factor. Research bikes before you decide which you want, then shop around before purchasing. Don’t just buy the first bicycle that looks good—you could get stuck with a lemon!

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